Drawing on a variety of sources from film, literature, and popular culture, and analyzing different historical moments, including the establishment of the Wilderness Act in 1964 and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Finney reveals the perceived and real ways in which nature and the environment are racialized in America. Looking toward the future, she also highlights the work of African Americans who are opening doors to greater participation in environmental and conservation concerns.
Reviews (35)
Good message but need to work to find it
Poorly-written book with good information that you had to work to get at. She first told us what she would show us, then showed us, then told us what she showed us. The information was largely ten years old when it was published which doesn't work in this fast-moving field. Very pedantic and academic style.
Important book, clear and thoughtful
Important book for anyone who works in landscape architecture, planning, design and any other fields relating to environment and place. It’s giving me much to think about..l
Hard to read
This book was like reading a doctoral thesis. One paragraph after another was full of nothing but research notations. There was little real writing. It was impossible to read, let alone enjoy. Skip this one.
uggh
So the book itself deserves 5 stars, but it arrived today with this cut through the back cover... And I can't return it to get a better one by time I need it bc I'm meeting the author tomorrow and want them to sign it, but Barnes and Noble only prints this book on demand (at least where I am) and that won't arrive in time, and nowhere else carries a copy. So it's pretty disappointing to have this is my only option. The rest of the book looks fine, doesn't look like it's been used so giving this 2 stars, but was hoping for better quality.
A necessary intersection
Carolyn Finney's work functions at the axis of critical race theory and environment studies, examining the relationship between black Americans and the natural environment, and how this relationship has been shaped and codified by racism, violence, class difference, and white privilege. This book raises some very important questions on how our culture views that relationship and also addresses the fears black Americans associate with the environment and the advances that black Americans have contributed to environmental causes. The book focuses on a number of different topics to demonstrate the problematic and tenuous bond between race and environment: slave labor, the association between wilderness and lynching, lack of diversity in visitors to and employees of national parks, racist depictions of black people related to tropes of "wildness," and the racial underpinnings of government and media reactions to Hurricane Katrina. All the arguments this text makes are valid and, even more, crucial. However, the book seems slightly unfocused and spread too thin. In an effort to paint a comprehensive picture and tackle all possible avenues related to this mostly unexplored intersection the book lacks an argumentative and theoretical depth. Hopefully, this is only the beginning and Finney continues to contribute more scholarship regarding these issues, as it is badly needed.
Excellent work
Gave me good history, explanations and analysis of the black experience with the natural world and environmental issues. Also gave me hope and excitement by describing the many people and projects involved in uplifting our people and protecting our environment. Inspiring!
Insightful, approachable, honest.
This book is a must for anyone who considers themselves outdoorsy, an environmentalist, or an outdoorsman. Using strong storytelling, Finney takes us on a ride through time where so many pieces come together in front of our eyes while answering some of the most daunting questions about the connections of the present moment to the times of slavery.
An interesting topic
While the book felt a bit too academic it was a good read that covers an important topic that I experience regularly, but don't hear much about. Bravo to the author for tackling this complex issue.
Very enlightening
Great book for anyone, but especially if you want to learn about race relations with outdoor spaces.
Bleh
Not very interesting. If you want to learn how to bring race into the outdoors this is your book.
Good message but need to work to find it
Poorly-written book with good information that you had to work to get at. She first told us what she would show us, then showed us, then told us what she showed us. The information was largely ten years old when it was published which doesn't work in this fast-moving field. Very pedantic and academic style.
Important book, clear and thoughtful
Important book for anyone who works in landscape architecture, planning, design and any other fields relating to environment and place. It’s giving me much to think about..l
Hard to read
This book was like reading a doctoral thesis. One paragraph after another was full of nothing but research notations. There was little real writing. It was impossible to read, let alone enjoy. Skip this one.
uggh
So the book itself deserves 5 stars, but it arrived today with this cut through the back cover... And I can't return it to get a better one by time I need it bc I'm meeting the author tomorrow and want them to sign it, but Barnes and Noble only prints this book on demand (at least where I am) and that won't arrive in time, and nowhere else carries a copy. So it's pretty disappointing to have this is my only option. The rest of the book looks fine, doesn't look like it's been used so giving this 2 stars, but was hoping for better quality.
A necessary intersection
Carolyn Finney's work functions at the axis of critical race theory and environment studies, examining the relationship between black Americans and the natural environment, and how this relationship has been shaped and codified by racism, violence, class difference, and white privilege. This book raises some very important questions on how our culture views that relationship and also addresses the fears black Americans associate with the environment and the advances that black Americans have contributed to environmental causes. The book focuses on a number of different topics to demonstrate the problematic and tenuous bond between race and environment: slave labor, the association between wilderness and lynching, lack of diversity in visitors to and employees of national parks, racist depictions of black people related to tropes of "wildness," and the racial underpinnings of government and media reactions to Hurricane Katrina. All the arguments this text makes are valid and, even more, crucial. However, the book seems slightly unfocused and spread too thin. In an effort to paint a comprehensive picture and tackle all possible avenues related to this mostly unexplored intersection the book lacks an argumentative and theoretical depth. Hopefully, this is only the beginning and Finney continues to contribute more scholarship regarding these issues, as it is badly needed.
Excellent work
Gave me good history, explanations and analysis of the black experience with the natural world and environmental issues. Also gave me hope and excitement by describing the many people and projects involved in uplifting our people and protecting our environment. Inspiring!
Insightful, approachable, honest.
This book is a must for anyone who considers themselves outdoorsy, an environmentalist, or an outdoorsman. Using strong storytelling, Finney takes us on a ride through time where so many pieces come together in front of our eyes while answering some of the most daunting questions about the connections of the present moment to the times of slavery.
An interesting topic
While the book felt a bit too academic it was a good read that covers an important topic that I experience regularly, but don't hear much about. Bravo to the author for tackling this complex issue.
Very enlightening
Great book for anyone, but especially if you want to learn about race relations with outdoor spaces.
Bleh
Not very interesting. If you want to learn how to bring race into the outdoors this is your book.
Everyone should read this book
A very important book for everyone, especially current and future outdoor enthusiasts.
Recommended reading!
Excellent read, important perspective.
YES, BLACK PEOPLE HIKE!!
Hidden gems of history
A book that millennials need to read
The book met am of my expectations.
Thorough book
So clear how much research and time went into this book. And the story tying her personally to her questions was quite compelling. As a young researcher asking similar questions I found the book well researched, personal and compelling.
Brand new book so it was in perfect condition when I received it
Brand new book so it was in perfect condition when I received it. Purchased for a college diversity course. Excellent read and I highly recommend to others.
Five Stars
Really interesting take on this issue, taught me a lot.
Love Carolyn Finney
Great book by a phenomenal author!
Five Stars
excellent
Read this book
Buy this book! Excellent read!
Great Book!
Dr. Finney is an excellent scholar, and I throughly enjoyed reading her book. If you are familiar with her and her work there are not many surprises here, but it's an enjoyable read. She write very clearly making difficult and complex ideas very digestible.
I love the connection Dr
I love the connection Dr. Finney makes between nature and communities of color. All too often people of color are removed from the conversation, as if their connections aren't relevant,
I bought this book as a gift for my husband ...
I bought this book as a gift for my husband. He found it very educational and recently had a chance to meet the author. She gave a very informative presentation based on the information discussed in her book.
Five Stars
Great book.
Great read
Enjoyed! I Can relate to her experiences! Listening to her on a radio interview was better than the book. She is so articulate, energetic, and passionate! I wish this book was audible!!
